Thimble-retainer.



G. B. MULLEN.

T HIMBLE RETAINER.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. I3. 1916.

Patented Sept. 5, 1916.

WITNESSES jyfa/(xewzmlf.

TlIIT ITEI) STATES PATENT @FFIQE.

GEORGE B. MULLEN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-HALF TO GEORGE D. BENSON, OF WHITESTONE, FLUSHING, NEW YORK.

THIMBLE-RETAINER.

Specification of Letterslatent;

Application filed January 13, 1916. Serial No. 71,870.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE E. MULLEN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of New York, Whitestone, borough of Queens, in the county of Queens and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Thimble-Retainer, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to a device for retaining a thimble on the finger and is especially useful for those who sew by occupation, as the annoyance of the thimble becoming loose and dropping off the finger is efiectively avoided.

The invention has for its general objects to provide a thimble-retaining device which is of comparatively simple and inexpensive construction, reliable and efiicient in use, and so designed as to be easily applied to the finger and at the same time be comfortable.

A more specific object of the invention is the provision of a thimble attachment which is in thenature of a rubber or other elastic ring which is applied to the large end of a thimble and projects beyond the same so that the finger can be inserted into the thimble through the retaining device which snugly fits around and adheres to the finger, whereby it is impossible for the thimble to become detached from the finger accidentally lVith such objects in view and others which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention comprises various novel features of construction and arrangement of parts which will be set forth with particularity in the following description and claims appended hereto.

In the accompanying drawing which illustrates one embodiment of the invention and wherein similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the thimble retaining device applied to a thimble; Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the thimble and retainer; Fig. 3 is a view of the retainer detached; Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a modified form of thimble; and Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a modified form of the invention.

Referring to the drawing, A designates a thimble of ordinary construction, such as is used by tailors, dress-makers, carpet sewers and the like, and B is the device for retainingthe thimble onthe finger.

The device B is a ring of rubber or other elastic material in the shape of a frustum of a cone and may be provided with beads l and 2 at its edges for reinforcing the retainer. The larger end of the retainer is fitted around the upper or open end of the thimble, which latter has an external bead 3 under which the bottom bead 2 of the retainer engages, the lower end of the retainer being normally considerably smaller in diameter than the larger end of the thimble, so that it is necessary to expand the retainer in applying the thimble. The upper end of the retainer is of such internal diameter that, when the finger is inserted, the upper end expands so that the tension of the rubber maintains a tight frictional engagement with the finger, whereby the retainer and thimblcare held from slipping. If desired, the'thimble may be provided with an annular groove or seat formed between external flanges 4L and 5 for the purpose of receiving the bead 2 of the retainer.

The retainer B shown in Fig. 5 has its bead 2 provided with a groove whereby Patented Sept. 5, 1916.

gripping lips 6 and 7 are formed between which the beaded edge of the thimble engages. The inner lip assists in holding the retainer on the finger and prevents the thirnble from cutting or chafing the finger.

The retainer can be cemented to the thimble or made separable therefrom.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, the advantages of the construction and method of operation will be readily understood by those skilled in the art to which the invention appertains, and while I have described the principle of operation, together with the device which I now consider to be the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that the device shown is merely illustrative and that such changes may be made when desired as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. The combination of a thimble, with a thimble retaining attachment comprising a resilient annular body having one end ap plied to and surrounding the open end of 10 both edges.

3. The combination of a thimble having a peripheral bead, and a retaining device in the form of a hollow elastic body interlock ing with the bead and having a reduced up per end through which the finger is insert- 15 ed in applying the thimble to the finger, and a grooved bead to receive the bead of the thimble.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of 20 two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE B. MULLEN.

WVitnesses A. CHARLES KonHLER, FRANCES L. SMITH.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

